Lion Forge Entertainment Signs Deal With Penguin Young Readers
Lion Forge Entertainment is a company that is on the up in animation. The independent producer already has a robust slate of titles in development that includes Iyanu: Child Of Wonder. They have previously signed deals with Cartoon Network Studios, Black Women Animate and Nickelodeon Animation. Now it has been announced that they have entered into a new deal with Penguin Young Readers.
Penguin Young Readers is a division of renowned publisher Penguin Random House that publishes books aimed at younger readers. The deal will see Lion Forge develop film and TV projects based on books that are published by PYR. The company will adapt several titles as animated and/or live-action properties.
The projects will be overseen by Lion Forge Entertainment President and Chief Content Officer Stephanie Sperber, who brokered the deal. Any projects that go into production will be produced by Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and founder David Steward II, along with Sperber, Francesco Sedita from Penguin Young Readers, and Media Consultant Rich Korson.
"The creative team at Penguin Young Readers are as passionate about storytelling and world-building as we are at Lion Forge, " Said Sperber. "Their publishing list aligns perfectly with the content we bring to market and we are eager to develop these books for kids and family audiences globally.”
David Steward II said “Each book we’re developing with Penguin offers something different to audiences but all share heart, humour and sense of discovery that we love to highlight at Lion Forge Entertainment. We look forward to working with these talented authors to bring their stories to the screen.”
Penguin Young Readers President Jen Loja added, "Lion Forge is the perfect partner to bring some of Penguin’s most exciting properties to screens worldwide. With their expertise in engaging diverse audiences with unique yet universal stories, we couldn’t be more excited to see how these projects develop."
Lion Forge Entertainment is a mission-driven entertainment producer founded by David Steward II. The company's mission is to focus on creators from underrepresented and diverse groups and help amplify underrepresented voices. Their growing slate, which now includes live-action as well as animation, builds on the success of earlier projects which include the Oscar-winning animated short Hair Love and the upcoming Cartoon Network/HBO Max series Iyanu.
The books initially selected for adaptation include Wannabe Farms, North Pole Ninjas, Monster Juice and The Pathfinders Society.
